Joe Burrow‘s walk after that Super Bowl LVI loss still hits hard. It was quiet, slow, and bruised, disappearing behind a black curtain with the weight of seven sacks and a dream crushed by the Los Angeles Rams. It wasn’t just a loss; it was a beating. He got hit eleven times. So, obviously, you could feel the frustration. The Cincinnati Bengals knew they had to do better. They couldn’t let their franchise guy take that kind of punishment again. So they went all in. In that offseason, they signed three new starters, grabbed another in the draft, and kept building into 2023. They also signed Pro Bowl left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. in 2023. That move said it all – protecting Burrow wasn’t just a goal, it was the priority for them, which was still on this season.

Brown Jr. has proved himself on the roster, as he has developed into a reliable starter for Oklahoma. But the chapter still isn’t over for the Bengals. This year, they drafted two players from the 2025 NFL Draft to protect their quarterback, Joe Burrow. And on Thursday, these two finally signed the papers.

On May 8, Zac Taylor’s team signed two key players: guard Dylan Fairchild and offensive tackle Jalen Rivers, to help the offensive line and protect Joe Burrow. Fairchild’s the kind of guy you want in the trenches. At 6-foot-5, 318 pounds, he’s a powerhouse out of Georgia who finally got his chance to shine the past two seasons, and he didn’t waste it.

He started every game last year, earned All-American honors, and helped push the Bulldogs into the playoffs. The Bengals saw the struggle up front and knew they had to fix it. Fairchild feels like a no-brainer. He’s tough, moves well, and knows how to handle pressure. Cincinnati needs that kind of anchor on the inside, and he looks ready to step in and get to work. On the other hand, Jalen Rivers brings serious size, versatility, and raw power to Cincinnati.

Standing 6’6″, 319 pounds, the former Miami standout started 30 games and mostly held down the left tackle spot. He was a key piece on one of the top offenses in the country, helping Miami lead the nation in both yards and scoring. The Bengals grabbed him in the fifth round, their second O-line pick of the draft, and it’s easy to see why. He’s strong, moves well, and isn’t afraid to get physical. Coaches love his upside, especially if he cleans up a few technique issues. He might start at guard, but don’t be surprised if he pushes for more.

With them in the roster, the Bengals could finally get their solutions to their O-line and Joe Burrow issues. But these are just two. Out of six selections in the 2025 NFL Draft, and an undrafted one, the Bengals signed another two players on Thursday.

Joe Burrow’s team put a stamp on two other players!

Joe Burrow and Zac Taylor’s Bengals just added more firepower on both sides of the ball, and fans should be excited. First up, linebacker Barrett Carter out of Clemson. This guy’s a machine, as he started 40 games, racking up over 230 tackles. In addition, he was a leader on and off the field. He’s fast, covers ground like crazy, and doesn’t shy away from pressure. Sure, he’s still got a few things to clean up when it comes to reading plays, but his athleticism makes him dangerous.

The next one is running back Tahj Brooks, a powerhouse from Texas Tech. At 5’9″ and 220 pounds, he’s built like a truck and runs like one, too. If you still don’t believe it, his stats say it all. He has recorded over 4,500 rushing yards and 45 touchdowns. In addition, Brooks was Mr. Consistent, ending his college career with 22 straight games over 95 yards. Now he’s stepping into a crowded backfield, but don’t count him out.

With Joe Burrow under center, Zac Taylor’s Brooks could be a serious spark in that offense. And yes, the rest ones too are expected to become the powerhouse of the team.